Reading & Ranting

Mia & Karly are here to help you go from “I wish I could read more” to “I accidentally read a 700-page romantasy in one day and now I need therapy.” Whether you're looking to become a reading girly or just want to stop doomscrolling before bed, the girls have all the tips and tricks to get you into reading. Inspired by Mia’s recent viral TikTok, the girls are ready to rant about how romance bo...

While fantasy fall has officially kicked off, it’s time to take a step back and dive into the timeless works of classic literary giants like Charlotte Brontë and Jane Austen for those crisp fall days. Karly & Mia explore how these classics encapsulate the essence of autumn, from moody atmospheres to heartwarming romances. Grab your Nicole Kidman cardigan and a steaming cup of hot tea (or sauv...

In this special anniversary episode of Reading & Ranting, Karly & Mia are celebrating their one-year milestone by diving into a spoiler-free discussion of When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker, a beautifully crafted fantasy romance novel that captivated them with its beautiful prose, stabby FMC, and sexy new book boyfriend of the week. And did we mention… dragons? In honor of a year sin...

Fantasy romance books… we know them, we love them, and they’re great for escapism but sometimes… things just get cringe. Mia & Karly are talking about those moments that break the spellbinding world building and give them the ick—like “lactic acid” existing in Prythian. And let’s not forget: does anyone need a character named Thad in romantasy or any book for that matter? Didn’t think so. Plus...

In today’s episode, the girls are diving into one of their favorite author’s novels,  Book Lovers by Emily Henry. Between exploring the book’s underlying themes of familial relationships and self-discovery, memorable side characters, and romance that develops between the shelves of a bookstore (the dream), Emily Henry yet again does not disappoint. Spoiler warning: the girls discuss the plot point...

Come one come all, Mia & Karly are talking about how to spread the gospel (Maasiverse) to your friends. Spoilers ahead, so listen at your own risk! The girls are spiraling through the stages of grief one experiences while watching friends dive into the Maasiverse for the first time. From pretending Tamlin’s likable to surviving the emotional pain of “take it off” and the Thirteen to the full c...

Hey besties! Welcome to the first R&R solo episode, where Mia's taking the reins to revisit the books that shaped her childhood and how reconnecting with them has been a healing experience. If you wondered what house you would be sorted into, what cabin you would live in, whether you would survive the Hunger Games, or of course, graduate from a secret academy for spies in training as a Gallagh...

Inspired by a recent trip to Barnes & Noble and curating their fall romantasy reads, Mia & Karly are back with part two of their ultimate Sarah J. Maas hangover cures! They share their updated book recommendations to help fill the void, with books featuring deadly trials, epic battles, and swoon-worthy love interests (and spice.) The girls are only discussing their 4.5 and 5 star reads to...

In today’s episode, join Mia & Karly as they dive into the art of pitching a book to a friend. Mia kicks things off with a pitch for Quicksilver, an addicting romantasy read brimming with enemies-to-lovers drama that has BookTok buzzing with a new book boyfriend. On the other end of the spectrum, Karly introduces Love Theoretically, a heartwarming rom-com with an Emily Henry flair that promise...

Okay besties, welcome to Westeros! Mia & Karly are breaking down their thoughts on House of the Dragon Season Two. TL;DR, the plot was definitely a slow burn, and not in a good way. The girls want to shout “Dracarys” at the scripts that kept Daemon at Harrenhal for an entire season and the lack of a follow up on Rhaenyra and Mysaria. But, of course, the season was filled with characters they l...

Discover Karly and Mia’s book preferences in today’s Q&A episode! The two are asking each other questions they’ve never asked before, ranging from book guilty pleasures to the first book they ever read. The real question is whether Karly prefers fanfiction over published books. Spoiler alert: if it’s a Dramione fic, the answer is probably yes. The girls are open books so submit additional ques...

This week, Mia & Karly are breaking down their favorite oddly specific book tropes. From knife-wielding heroines (The Cruel Prince), dramatic "who hurt you?" moments (Heir of Fire always hits different), angsty betrayals (Bridge Kingdom), romance-filled training montages (Fourth Wing), the classic one-bed trope (ACOMAF), dark and broody MMCs who'd burn the world for their love (Shatter Me), co...

In Karly & Mia’s opinion, one of the worst jumpscares you can receive is a text from your ex. And that begs the question: how do you respond? They share personal stories of shock, anger, and hurt, exploring the disrespect and gaslighting often encountered when dealing with an immature ex. And let’s be clear, the girls have RECEIPTS, PROOF, TIMELINES, SCREENSHOTS, as Mia quite literally scoured...

Karly & Mia are completely enamored with Emily Henry's "Happy Place," set against a coastal Maine backdrop which, be warned, sparks an intense craving for buttery lobster rolls. Among the book’s several tropes, including fake dating and found family, Happy Place weaves together themes of mature friendships, romance, and personal growth, earning Emily Henry yet another five-star rating from the...

In honor of using fantasy faerie books to escape reality, today’s episode takes a special twist on last week’s U.S. presidential debate, Maasiverse style. Karly & Mia are breaking down presidential campaigns with a showdown between Aelin and Rhysand. They firmly believe the country would be in better hands if it were led by everyone’s favorite fictional characters.   On a different note, for t...

POV: you finally picked up that “FIVE STAR MUST READ” book you’ve seen all over BookTok, and it left you less than satisfied. Well you’re in luck, because today Karly & Mia settle in for a candid conversation separating the overhyped from the underrated. Brace yourselves as they share their unfiltered opinions on which viral reads deserve the hype and which ones might have missed the mark. But...

Dearest Gentle Listeners, Karly & Mia are back with their thoughts on Bridgerton Season Three Part Two! To be honest, the girls feel like Part One was all foreplay, and Part Two offered no climax. Some of the most unexpected plot lines stuck with them (Michaela Stirling and Benedict’s random threesome) more than the main attraction of Polin itself. Eloise was once again the realest Bridgerton...

Dystopian is so back baby. Karly & Mia’s jaws were on the floor when they heard the news that Suzanne Collins is dropping Sunrise on the Reaping, the fifth installment in the Hunger Games series.  The girls can’t wait until March 2025, but until then they will have to be content with speculating every fan theory under the sun about the second Quarter Quell, starting with Haymitch’s family and...

Happy Pride Month! In the wise words of Chappell Roan, what we really need is a… femininomenon! And Sarah J. Maas consistently delivers. Today, Karly & Mia dive into their not so secret obsessions with the leading ladies, from Aelin’s sass to Bryce’s body-ody-ody, they break down why these badass ladies have captured their hearts (and fantasies). Sticking to the theme, Karly & Mia break do...

Today Karly & Mia are throwing it back to the 2010s YA Dystopian Fiction era and diving into the worlds of "Shatter Me" by Tahereh Mafi and "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld. In this episode, they provide spoiler-free background insights into both captivating series, exploring the dystopian landscapes and compelling characters that have captured their 10-year old (and now 24-year old) imaginations....

What’s that song playing in the background? Oh… no… it’s actually just the carriage scene with classical Pitbull in the background. Brace yourselves, ladies and gentlemen, as Mia & Karly are swooning over the Polin in the air. The girls were giggling and kicking their feet binge watching Bridgerton Season Three Part One, but fear Netflix must make haste to drop Part Two.  But the true scandal...

Have you ever wondered what makes a book a 5 star read? Although it varies from person to person (see also: “I didn’t say it was a GOOD book, I said I ENJOYED it”), the girls have some thoughts.  Karly & Mia weigh the importance of character depth, world-building, romance tropes, pacing, and the rare book (or Dramione fanfic in Karly’s case) that is such an emotional rollercoaster we are left...

Emily Henry has done it again folks! Join the girls as they dissect Funny Story, arguably their first 5-star read of 2024! With forced proximity, friends to lovers, and fake dating tropes all packaged into a small-town whirlwind summer romance with a sexy Nick Miller coded tatted bartender, what’s not to like?  While Karly & Mia haven’t experienced any of this IRL, Emily Henry’s writing is so...

While Karly & Mia’s relationship status has remained firmly single in the dating world, their relationship status with reading has taken a turn, and it’s complicated.    Dare they say they have hit a Romantasy overload. The girls are ready to branch out a little, and you know they already have reads lined up. Plus, a little treat in the spirit of revisiting the 2010s era books… Mia shares an e...

It was all over when Karly & Mia realized Rhys is pronounced Reese, and therefore Rhysand is not, in fact, pronounced Rice-and. In this episode, Karly & Mia unravel the inner world of Rhysand from ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses) by Sarah J. Maas. From his initial introduction as a mysterious villain figure to his transformation into a beloved character, the girls put on their detectiv...